Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway heaped praise on Glenn Murray after the striker's 14th and 15th goals in the Championship helped sink Derby County.

The 29-year-old struck twice either side of Andre Mortiz’s effort in a 3-0 win to stretch Palace’s unbeaten run in the league to 14 games and move the Eagles two points clear at the top.

Moritz’s inclusion from the start was Eagles boss Ian Holloway’s sole change from the team that won away at Peterborough, and the Brazilian duly rewarded the new gaffer with his third successive goal in as many games.

But it was the performance of the Eagles leading scorer, including setting up Moritz's contribution, which had Holloway gushing.

“Murray’s second goal was as good as I've seen, strength to hold the guy off and then to come in and flip it over the keeper," he said.

“I’m delighted for Moritz as well, another goal for him but I'm very pleased with everybody.”

“It was yet another fantastic performance against a good team. They didn't stop from start to finish and the professionalism of my lot and the determination to keep this run going is quite awesome.

"I have to say it's an absolute pleasure to watch them play at the moment”

Murray got Palace on their way when he headed home Yannick Bolasie’s corner unmarked at the far post in the 12th minute.

Holloway’s men then proceeded to dominate for rest of the first half, Mile Jedinak and Kagisho Dikgacoi imposing themselves in midfield on a lacklustre Derby County side, but no further goals were added before the break.

After the restart Nigel Clough’s men briefly rallied as they looked to get back into the game, Richard Keogh going close with a header that flew over after 50 minutes.

But shortly after Palace effectively killed off the game when Damien Delaney's ball into the area was headed down by Murray and Moritz was there to apply the finish with a crisp left-footed volley.

Eight minutes from time, Murray added a third with a superb run into the box that ended with the Palace striker firing into the roof of the net.